Title

Authors

Journal Title

SMU Law Review

Volume

52

Issue

3

First Page

703

Document Type

Article

Publication Information

1999

Abstract

Walter Steele is a consummate teacher precisely because he always is teaching. To observe him, to converse with him, to listen to him, to read him, is to learn something. He would not talk about ethical behavior in the classroom, only to cut corners in his private life. He would not demand razor-sharp logic from his students, and then allow himself to be sloppy in his own thinking.

Over the years, the word former students seem to use most often to describe Professor Steele is “intimidating.” He is intimidating because of his power; not the power some law professors wield to abuse their students, but the power of his intellect, his expectations, his character and integrity, and the power of his ideals. In an age in which such powers often are not regarded as fashionable, Walter Steele demonstrates why they never go out of style. It is a great loss that students at Southern Methodist University will no longer be “intimidated” by Walter Steele in the classroom.